The three of them returned to the inn. Ji Wu had regained consciousness and his injuries had improved greatly, but it was still difficult to move.
Qian Sui rushed to the bed and excitedly told how Wang Qi'an and his two men showed great power in Xu's martial arts school, killing Xu Heng and injuring several of their disciples.
After this battle, the image of Wang Qi'an as a wise and powerful warrior was probably deeply engraved in Qian Sui's mind.
In the evening of the next day, Yuan Jiangchao, the helmsman of the Yangzhou branch of the Dongting Gang, hurried to the inn to ask for a meeting.
"According to the appearance described by the young master, someone under his command reported that a salt merchant who had dealt with Fenduo several times matched the description.
After careful questioning, I found that his name is also worth pondering, it is Mu Yi. "
"Mu Yi, homophonic to Mu Yi, together it is the Chinese character Yang. Where is this person now?"
Wang Qian said excitedly.
Yuan Jiangchao said:
“I sent people to look for him, but found that the door of his shop was closed and sealed.
After asking around, people found out that about ten days ago, officers and soldiers sealed up the store, saying it was an illegal private sea salt store, and took away seven or eight people. Someone witnessed it, and Mu Yi was among them. "
Wang Qian was shocked and asked:
"Do you know where they were taken?"
Yuan Jiangchao said awkwardly:
"I have inquired with people in the state capital, and the government prison has not received this group of people. So the whereabouts have not been found yet."
Wang Qian sent Yuan Jiangchao away and walked to the south gate again without realizing it.
The secret mark he left behind remains intact.
He sighed and left sadly.
At this time, the lanterns are on, people are noisy, and Yangzhou gradually reveals its bustling night scene.
But Wang Qi was worried about Yang Duo's whereabouts and had no intention of enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Could Mu Yi be Yang Duo? If it was him, where was he taken? Is it life or death now?
Wang Qi'an was full of worries and thoughts, walking around aimlessly, and gradually reached the dock of the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal.
Although it has fallen into the night, the dock is still brightly lit, as bright as day.
On one side are merchant ships loading and unloading goods, on the other side are tourists on and off the pleasure boats.
There is a constant flow of people and an endless stream of cars and horses.
Yangzhou is indeed the most commercial city in the world. The sight in front of you alone is better than Qiantang and Hangzhou's water transportation.
Wang Qi'an walked to the riverside and saw a two-story, two-masted ship slowly approaching upstream.
Although the ship was tall, wide and of a certain size, it was not conspicuous here, so Wang Qi'an didn't pay much attention.
I saw the hull of the ship turning slowly, and it seemed that it was preparing to dock here.
At this time, several people appeared on the bow deck of the first ship.
The leader, a big man with two axes on his back, squinted his left eye. A scar stretched from his forehead to his right cheek.
Wang Qi'an was shocked when he died. He didn't expect such a coincidence of fate.
This person is none other than "Evil Dragon" Ni Kun, the leader of the Dajiang Gang.
The memory of this ship gradually became clearer. It was the pirate ship that Mo Guanshi had deceived him that day.
Wang Qi'an stepped forward a few feet and hid aside, watching closely as the ship slowly approached.
The ship shook and anchored to the shore.
Someone behind Ni Kun rushed down to the river bank in advance and guarded both sides.
Others were busy building boards and ladders to make it easier for people on board to get ashore.
Ni Kun returned to the cabin and reappeared after a while.
Several people followed behind him.
Wang Qian almost exclaimed in excitement.
The few people who came out were all familiar faces from the Yangtze River attack on Long Xiang's army that day.
The first person was Yang Jimou.
To his right is Mo Daoyi, the number one swordsman in the Yang family.
Next to Mo Daoyi is You Yanhong, the master of the Caidie Sect, who is a mature lady wearing colorful clothes and heavy makeup.
Except for the mysterious man in black from the Night Demon Clan, Liu Chongxin and Chu Mingxiu, everyone else was here.
The only person he didn't recognize was the person to the left of Yang Jimou.
This man was wearing a Taoist robe, holding a whisk in his hand, and a sword stuck in his back. He was tall and thin, with a neck as long as a deer.
Wang Qi'an felt as if he had reappeared yesterday, but the owner had changed hands.
Now it was him, Wang Qi'an, who was hiding in the dark, watching eagerly, planning how to deal a fatal blow to the enemy.
Yang Jimou and his party were talking and laughing as they disembarked along the escalator.
Wang Qi'an thought about the telegram, wondering if Yang Jimou's appearance in Yangzhou at this moment was related to the news from Ji Wurui?
Seeing that Yang Jimou and his party had changed into a carriage and set off, he hurriedly followed them without thinking.
What surprised Wang Qi'an even more was that after the carriage passed through the city, it stopped in front of the garrison in the north of the city.
Before the guards outside the door came to stop him, someone had already stepped forward to hand over the token.
After a while, the door opened, and Wang Jimou and his entourage were welcomed into the mansion.
Wang Qi'an quickly walked around the house, taking advantage of the cover of the night, and passed up the high wall with vines and green bamboo emerging from the courtyard.
Several ups and downs have landed on the roof of the main courtyard.
At this time, I happened to see Yang Jimou and others crossing the square and entering the hall.
Wang Qi'an settled down and heard voices in the room:
"His Royal Highness has come a long way. I am on official business. I apologize for the delay in greeting you from such a distance."
Yang Jimou said:
"Feng Liushou is very polite. I came here this time and prepared some small gifts. Please accept them."
The person who just spoke must be Feng Lu, the stayer in Dongdu.
Mo Daoyi's voice sounded:
"Someone, bring the box up."
Feng Lu chuckled and said:
"How embarrassed I am to receive generous gifts from His Highness again and again."
Yang Jimou said seriously:
"If you, sir, are determined to achieve something, these are just a drop in the bucket and nothing."
Feng Lu laughed and said in a low voice:
"It's rude to come without reciprocating. This time I heard that His Highness is coming in person, so I have prepared a gift in advance. I hope I won't disappoint His Highness."
Yang Jimou said "Oh" and said curiously:
"Is there any gift from me?"
Feng Lu shouted loudly:
"Vice General Ji, go and bring this person."
A man in armor at the door accepted the promise and led several soldiers towards the west courtyard.
Wang Qian thought, it seems that the rumors are not false, Dazhou is indeed interested in Yangzhou.
There must be someone in the court who was well aware of Feng Lu's money-grubbing personality and was playing into his favour, so he ordered Yang Jimou to use soft tactics to instigate rebellion.
If this person rebels, it will be like giving up Yangzhou.
It's just that the prefectures and counties of Hao, Si, Chu and so on in the northern border guard area are all in the hands of Nanwu. Unless the Zhou Dynasty can also win it in one fell swoop, Yangzhou is just an isolated city deep in the hinterland. Even if it is lucky enough to get it, there is no possibility of holding on. .
Yang Jimou said:
"Since the gift hasn't arrived yet, how about we talk to you about the business first? I wonder if you still have any hesitations about the agreement between you and me?"
Feng Lu suddenly coughed dryly.
"Can I be allowed to think twice about this matter for a few more days?"
Yang Jimou said:
"Is it possible that your Excellency still cannot see through the situation of the Southern Wu Dynasty and has forgotten the shame of Haozhou?"
"Hmph, these hypocrites openly accused me of corruption, but secretly swallowed up my many years of savings before they were willing to get this position for me."
Feng Lu paced back and forth, suddenly standing still, as if he had made up his mind and said:
"The matter has come to an end, your highness can rest assured. If your army can successfully capture the three cities of Hao, Si and Chu, I will help the Lord of Zhou to seize Chu and Taizhou as promised."
Yang Jimou said with satisfaction:
"Then this palace will also give you reassurance. If this happens, the post of Huainan Jiedu Envoy must belong to you."
Hearing this, Wang Qi'an suddenly felt enlightened.
